Panic Cell - What Doesn't Kill Us - 20.08.07

For the most part, Panic Cell’s sophomore attempt is solid; with thick riffs, tight drums, and attitude vocals from Luke Bell, who at his best is quietly reminiscent of Sevendust’s man mountain Lajon Witherspoon. Compliments aside though, at his worst he sounds like a man desperately attempting an impression of someone who can sing, but not actually singing. This is disappointing as his band around him are sensible enough to pull off their competent, but unspectacular yester-year trad-rock-metal mischief.

Produced by Dan Turner (Bullet For My Valentine, Cradle Of Filth), lending a cool sounding thick guitar production, PC do succeed in sucking the listener in…for a few moments. But the whole effect the material creates is a bit like cutting into a luscious looking cake to find there’s nothing underneath the thick layer of marzipan and icing except a large pocket of air.

And although not totally frigid, this album is definitely buttoned up to the neck and plays it safe at every turn. If it was mind bogglingly technical or stupidly fast, you could maybe forgive all of their missteps, but as it consists of none of the above, you are left wondering why you feel short-changed.


Verdict :

JIM BURT